Trailer control mechanism



Jan. 14,- 1941. F. M. REID TRAILER CONTROL MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed May 17, 1959 Wm \MUMM NM INVENTOR flairrzci M F 2 9 ATTORNEY-'5- 2Shuts-Sheet 2 F. M. REID TRAILER CONTROL IBCHANISI Filed lay 17, 1939INVENTOR fiaa rzcz; M Fail TTORNE Y5 Jan. 14, 1941.

Patented Jan. 14, 1941 PATENT orrlca 2,228,534 i'rmumn con'rnor.MECHANISM Frederick M. Reid, Detroit, Mich, assignor to Fruehaui'Trailer Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan ApplicationMay,1l,1939, Serial No. 274,236

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to pneumatic control mechanisms andparticularly to such mechanisms in association with pneumaticallyoperated mechanisms which are associated with tractor and trailervehicle structures.

One of the primary objects 0! the present invention is to provide animproved pneumatic conbreak in the connection between the source and thefunctionally different devices, or depletion of the source, mayor maynot affect the function of either or both of the devices underdifferent, fitting conditions.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide animproved pneumatic control mechanism associated with tractor and trailervehicle structures in which a pneumatically operated retractable supportand pneumatic brakes are provided on the trailer and connected to theintake manifold of the tractor engine, in which the pneumatic controlmechanism is so constructed that in the event the connection between thesource and the support and brakes is deliberately broken, the brakes aremoved to braking position and the retractable support is moved to itssupporting position; while if the connection is accidentally broken orthe source otherwise depleted while the tractor and trailer areconnected together such break or depletion is ineffective on theretractable support so that such support is maintained in its raisedposition.

Other objects of the'invention will become apparent from the followingspecification, thedrawings relating thereto and from the claimshereinafter set forth.

In the drawings, in which like numerals are used to designate like partsin the several views throughout:

- gine through brackets move in unison as they are supporting andnon-supporting positions. A,

(c1. can-33.1)

illustrated in Fig. 1 on a slightly enlargedscale; Fig. 31s a top planview on a slightly reduced scale of the structure illustrated in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along theline l-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along theline 5-5 of Fig. 4; and Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view takensubstantially along the line 5-6 of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings, a usual automotive tractor I0 is providedhaving a usual gasoline en- II, and'being provided with a rearwardlyexwith ground wheels l6 contending frame It end thereof in nectedthereto adjacent the rear the usual way. 1

A semi-trailer generally indicated at l8 has ground engaging wheels l9mounted at the rear end thereof in the usual way.- The forward end ofthe trailer is upwardly offset and is pivotally and detachably connectedto the tractor ill by a pivotal connection such as the fifth wheelstructure. The fifth wheel structure is preferably of the type disclosedin detail in the patent to Frederick M. Reid, No. 1,925,279, issuedSeptember 5, 1933; and includes a downwardly-directed kingpin membermounted on the trailer l8 adjacent the front thereof. The king-pin isadapted to engage a lower fifth wheel member 20, of the structuredisclosed in the above mentioned patent, which is pivotally connected tothe frame It 22. The lower fifth wheel member 20 is preferably curveddownwardly adjacent the rear=edge thereof as indicated at 24 and thefront edge of the trailer 18 is preferably sloped'downwardly andrearwardly as indicated at 26, so that as the tractor l0 is backed underthe forward edge of the trailer Iii the downwardly sloping edge 24slidably engages under the sloping edge 26' and raises the forward endof the trailer It as the fifth wheel member is slid under the trailer toits position surrounding the kingpin.

According to the present invention, the means for supporting the-forwardend of the trailer when it is detached from the tractor comprises arigid frame 30 which isof a triangular shape,

there beingone such frame carried on each side of the trailer frame.Transversely extending bracing members 32 connect the side frame members30- so that the members 30 are caused to swung to and from transverselyextending axle member 34 is received through openings in the bottom endof each of the triangular frame members 30 and is adapted to has asubstantially straight portion 48 adjacent.

the termination of its upper end and a substantially straight portin 48adjacent the termination of its lower end. The guideway has an end 15wall 50 which acts as a stop to limit the travel of one end of theframe'member 30 in a manner which will become more apparent from thefol-- lowing description. A transversely extending rod member 52 isreceived through openings in '20 the upper forward ends of the framemembers 30 and projects outwardly beyond each of the members 30. Theoutwardly projecting portions 54 are adapted to be slidably received inthe slideways 42, so that as the portions 54' slide up- 25 wardly withinthe slideways the forward end of the frame member 30 is lifted upwardly;and conversely as the portions 54 move downwardly, the forward end ofthe frame members 3IZ| are moved downwardly. 30 Another' transverselyextending rod member 56 is disposed through openings in the rear upperends ofthe members 30 and extends outwardly therebeyond as indicated at58. The outwardly extending portions 58 are slidably carried byslideways formed by the lower inwardly disposed flanges on the sidechannel members 40; and to guide and to limit the sliding movement ofthe portions 58 on the side frame members 40 a substantially bl-shapedmember 60 is fixed to the 40 frame members 40 so that the ends of themembers 60 limit the movement of the projection 58. The base of themember 80 is provided with downwardly extending recesses in the form ofnotches 62 which are adapted to lock the frame against 45 accidentaldisplacement when it is in its supporting position. While it ispreferable to have the latter mentioned slideways substantiallyhorizontal, such slideways could be disposed at slight angles to thehorizontal and at substantial angles 50 to the angle of the slideways42.

The supporting frame members 30 are so positioned that they tend to dropdownwardly by gravity to their supporting position. In order to insurethe positioning of the frame members 55 30 in their supporting position,a spiral spring member 85 is attached at one end to the crossmember 52andfis attached at its opposite end to a transversely extending framemember 88 on the trailer I8.-' The slope of the slideway 42 con- 0 trolsto a certain extent the necessity for the spring 65 and the requiredstrength of the spring 65; that is, for a relatively steep incline onthe slideway 42 a spring of less strength is required. It is, however,desirable that the spring 86 be 65 provided so that as the projections54 are drawn downwardlyon the guideways 42, they are held against theend. wall 50 so that the projections 58 on the cross member 55 arecaused to pivot around the projections 54 and engage in one of thenotches 70 62 when the trailer is supported on the frame 30.

Also according to the present invention; in order to raise the frame 30to its non-supporting or inoperative position, a vacuum cylinder I0 isprovided which is pivotally attached at I2 to a 15 transverselyextending frame member I4 which is attached to the side frame members40. The cylinder I0 has a reciprocating piston I6 therein with a pistonrod I8 projecting'therefrom. The piston rod I8 is secured to atransversely extending rod member 80 which is slidably received withinguideways formed by longitudinally extending channel members 8| whichare fixed at one. end to the transversely extending frame member I4 andat their other end to another transversely extending'frame member 82.The rod member 10 80 is adapted to be slid back and forth within thechannel members 8| as the piston rod 18 is reciprocated, and stops 84are preferably provided in the channel members 8| to limit the movementof the rod member 80.

A pulley 86 is rotatably mounted on the rod member 80; and a flexiblecable 88 has one end 90 fixed to the transversely extending frame member82. The cable is passed around the pulley 86 and is secured at 92 to thetransversely extend- 2O ing member 56 on the frame member 30. The pulleyand cable arrangement reduces the size of the cylinder I0 necessary toraise the supporting frame 30 to its inoperative position.

The ground wheels I9 at each side of the semitrailer I8 adjacent therear end thereof are each provided with conventional vacuum brakingmechanisms generally indicated at I20. Each braking mechanism I20, whichis shown by way of illustration, includes a cylinder I22-having areciprocating piston I24 therein, which is constantly urged to anon-braking position by a spiral spring I26, mounted within the cylinderI22. A conduit member I28 communicates with the rear end of each of thecylinders in and is in communication with an elongated flexible conduitmember I30 which extends longitudinally of the trailer I8 and is fixedto a separable connector I32. The connector I32 provides a communicationbetween the conduit member I30 and another flexible conduit member I34which is in communication with a conduit member I08. The conduit memberI08 communicates with the intake manifold of the engine I2. Means I36are introduced in the line I34 and are operatively connected with thefoot brake pedal I38 so that when the brake pedal I38 is depressed, thelinesI34, I30, and I28 are vented to the atmosphere through anatmospheric vent I40. When the brake pedal is depressed, communicationbetween the means I35 and the intake manifold is shut off so that thevacuum in line I08 is not destroyed. A hand valve I42 may be interposedbetween the connection I32 and the means I35, so that when theconnection I32 is broken and the pedal I38 is in. its upward position,the hand valve may be closed so that the manifold is not open to theatmosphere.

A vacuum tank I50 is mounted to the trailer I8 adjacent the rear endthereof and has a conduit member I58 communicating therewith; which 60in turn communicates with another transversely extending conduit memberI58. The conduit member I58 communicates with the interior of each ofthe cylinders I22 through the forward wall thereof, viewing Fig. 2.

The vacuum source for the cylinder I0, and the cylinder I50 andcylinders I22 is provided by the suction intake of engine I2. Theflexible conduit member I08 provides communication with such 7 sourceand is in communication with the. pneumatically responsive operatingmeans on the semi-trailer through separable connector means, generallyindicated at I09. A hand valve H0 is interposed in the line between theconnector I09 and the intake manifold to which the conduit I08 76extends so that the hand valve may be closed when the trailer andtractor are disconnected, and open when they are connected.

Theseparable connector I09 is constructed to communicate with branchconduits I60 and I62. The branch conduit I60 communicates with the rearend of cylinder", viewing Fig. 2, of the operating means for-raising andlowering the the front end thereof, and includes a rigid tubular portionI66 connected through aligned, separable fi n 68 and I10 with a rigid Tconnection I12. The fitting I10 is tubular and is connected with thehorizontal portion of the member I12 by means of a resilient sealingring I14 which is secured to the members I10 and I12 by means of bandsI16. The opposite end of the horizontal portion of member I12 isconnected to the conduit I62 by a similar sealing ring I14 and bandsI16. The members I66, I68, I10, and I12 are aligned so that they providea conduit communicating with the conduit I62.

The communication with conduit I60 includes a T member having one end ofits horizontal portion sealably connected to conduit I60 by means of asealing ring I14 and bands I16 and having its opposite end connected toone end of an.

elbow member I82 by: means of a rubber ring I14 and bands I16. Themember I80 has a depending portion I84 provided with a passage I86therethrough which is externally threaded adjacent the base thereof, asindicated at I88, and which terminates in -a reduced and inwardlytapered annular portion I90. The member I12 has an upwardly disposedannular shoulder I92 forming a passage which is aligned with passageI86. A concentric upstanding annular portion I94 thready receives thethreaded portion I68 of depending portion I84 so that the members I80and I12 are connected together to provide communication between thehorizontal portions of members I12 and I80.

In order to communicate the passages through the horizontal portions ofmembers I12 and I60 or to shut off communication therebetween, a discmember I96 is disposed within tubular portion I94and has a solid centralportion which is adapted to seat against, the lower annular edge oftapered portion I90. The disc member I96 is urged against its seat onportion I90 by means of a spiral spring I96 which is telescoped over theflange I92 and which bears against an annular shoulder formed on theunder surface of disc I96 so that the spring cannot become displaced.The

' member I96 is provided with a plurality of cirher I96 is in its upperposition and is seated cumferentially spaced openings 200 therethroughwhich are disposed on a radius outside of the outer edge of the taperedportion I90. The disc member is also formed with a depend ng annularflange 202 which is adapted to abut against protuberances 204 formed onthe inner wall of tubular portion I94 at spaced intervals therearound sothat the downward movement of member I96 is limited. It will thus beseen that when the memagainst the lower edge of tapered portion I90.communication between the passages of horizontal through the passagesformed by member I82 and the horizontal portion of member I80. Thefunction of such communication will also be pointed out in detailhereinafter.

In order to provide the separable connection between conduit I08 and theconduits on the semitrailer, the means I09 are provided with a separabletubular member 208 which has its forward end telescopically and fixedlyreceived within the rear end of flexible conduit member I08. The member208 has a reduced forward end 2 I0 which 'is adapted to betelescopically received within member 166 so that the, passage formed tu member 208 communicates the conduit I08 with conduit member I62 and,depending upon the position of member I96, with conduit member I60.

The tubular-member 208 is adaptedto be fixedly positioned within memberI66 but manually releasable therefrom. To provide for this, member I66is provided with a plurality of openings 2I2 through the wall thereofwhich are adapted to receive balls 2 I4. A suitable number of suchopenings and balls may be provided at spaced intervals around memberI66. The balls are held in position within the openings by means of anannular sleeve 2I6 which slidably embraces the member I 66 and which isadapted to abut against an outwardly disposed annular flange 2I8 formedon the forward end of member I66. The member 2I6 is urged to its forwardposition by means of a spiral spring 220 which embraces member I66. Theforward end of spring I22 bears against an annular shoulder 222 formedon the inner wall of member 2 I6, and the rear end of spring 220 'abutsagainst an annular stop ring 224 which is fixed to member I66. Thesleeve 2I6 is formed with an annularly enlarged space 224 adjacent theforward end thereof; andit will be seen that the construction is suchthat when the sleeve 2I6 is in its forwardmost position, the inner wallof such sleeveforces the balls radially inwardly where they seat pulledto its rear position against the action of spring -220, the tubularmember 208 may be withdrawn from member II 6 as the balls 2I4 will beurged radially outwardly by the rounded cam walls within an annularrecess 226 formed in the outer surface of member 208. When the sleeve2I6 is of the channel 226 and suchballs may be disposed within theenlarged area formed by the annular portion .224. It is pointed out thatthe inner ed e of openings 2I2 may be peened inwardly slightly so thatthe balls will not drop therethrough.

The member 208 extends within member I66 to 'a point beyond the point ofcommunication of,elbow I82 with the interior of member I66; Thatportionof the passage within member I66 with which the elbow I82communicates is sealed by means of sealing rings 228 and 230, which maybe of rubber or other suitable sealing material.

It'will thus be seen that when the member 208 is inserted within memberI66 the reduced end 2 I0 thereof is sealably embraced by rings 228 and230 so that the passage through elbow I82 is sealed on: fromcommunication with the atmosphere or from communication with theinterior of member 208. The function of this will be describedhereinafter in greater detail.

The operation and functions of the structure above described will now bedescribed in detail:

At all times while the engine is running and the trailer is connected tothe tractor l0 with-the separable member 208 inserted within member I66,a vacuum is created within conduit I62 and consequently within tank I50,so that the vacuum brakes I20 may be operated. When the member 208 isfirst inserted into member I66. atmospheric conditions exist withinconduit I60 and consequently within cylinder I0 and the retractablesupports 30 are down. The creation of this vacuum within the horizontalportion of member I12 will create a pressure difierential between thatpassage and the horizontal passage I80, so that the disc I96 will beunseated and vacuum will be created within conduit I60 and consequentlywithin cylinder I0 and the retractable supports 30 are raised. It ispointed out that at this time the opening to the atmosphere throughelbow I82 is sealed oh? by the inner end of member 208.

When the vacuum conditions within conduit I60 are equal to the vacuumconditions within conduit I62, the spring I98 will urge the disc againstits seat on tapered portion I90, so that the vacuum conditions withinconduit I 60 will be constantly maintained. Under these conditions, thecylinder I6 is drawn to the right of chamber I0, viewin Fig. 2, and theretractable support is maintained in its raised position. I

In the event that the connectionil08 becomes broken, as frequentlyhappens due to the bending and twisting stresses which are placed uponthis connection in operation, atmospheric'conditions would be createdwithin the horizontal passage of member I12 but this would not affectthe vacuum conditions within the conduit I60 since the disc I 96 wouldbe urged against its seat and the atmospheric opening through elbowI82is sealed ,ofi. Also, in the event that the vacuum within member I12is depleted due to over-use of the brakes, leakage, or other causes, noeffect would be had upon the pressure conditions within the conduit I60since the disc I96 would be maintained against its seat. Thisconstruction therefore assures that the retractable landing gear willnot drop down but will be always raised and maintained in its raisedposition while the tractor and trailer are connected together.

When the separable member 208 is disconnected from member I66, theconduit "50 is vented to the atmosphere through elbow I82 so that theretractable support would then be dropped to its supporting position. Atthe same time, the conduit IE2 is vented to the atmosphere but the checkvalve I64 would prevent this having any efiect on' the vacuum withintank I50. The disconnection of member I32 would. serve to vent conduitI30 to the atmosphere so that the brakes would beapplied.

While the broader aspects of the present invention may be utilized inconnection with structure other than tractor and semi-trailerconstructions herein illustrated, the present invention has particularutility when used with such tractor and trailer constructions. Also,while the present invention is particularly adapted for use withtractors employing gasoline engines as the source of motive poweaccording tu the broader aspects 4 or the present invention, it is alsoadapted for use with tractors employing other sources of power, such asDiesel engines. In the latter event, a vacuum pump could be provided ior providing the vacuum source. Also, a compressor could be used. inwhich event it would be merely necessary to change the inlet from therear end of cylinder 10 to the forward end of the cylinder, so that thepower stroke of the piston would be in the same direction as thatdescribed above.

Formal changes may be made in the specific embodiments of the inventiondescribed without departing from the spirit and substance of theinvention, the scope of which is commensurate with the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In vehicle control mechanism wherein a tractor has an automotiveengine providing a pneumatic source and a semi-trailer is adapted to beconnected to the trailer with a retractable supporting frame mounted onthe trailer movable to and from supporting and non-supporting positionswith means for moving the frameto and from supporting and non-supportingpositions in which the last named means includes pneumaticallyresponsive operating means and wherein other pneumatically responsivemeans are mounted on the semi-trailer and are functionally difierent"from the first named operating means with conduit means connecting bothof said operating means with said pneumatic source so that said sourcepneumatically affects said operating means, the combination withcoupling means interposed in said conduit means between said operatingmeans and said source, said coupling means including manually separablemembers and being so constructed that in the event of a break in theconduit means between the source and the coupling means, said means formoving said frame is not affected while upon separation of saidseparable'members all of said operating means are afiected.

2. In vehicle control mechanism wherein a tractor having an automotiveengine providing a source of vacuum and a semi-trailer is adapted to beconnected to the tractor with a retractable supporting frame movablymounted on said semitrailer movable to and from supporting andnonsupporting positions with means for moving said frame to and fromsupporting and non-supporting positions in which said last named meansincludes pneumatically responsive operating means, and wherein otherpneumatically responsive operating means are mounted on saidsemi-trailer and have a difierent function than said first namedoperating means and wherein conduit means connect both of said operatingmeans with said vacuum l source so that said source pneumaticallyaffects said operating means, the combination with coupling meansinterposed in said conduit means between said operating means and saidsource, said coupling means including manually separable members andbeing so constructed that in the event of a reduction in the vacuum inthe conduit means between the source and the coupling means, said firstnamed-operating means is not afiected while upon separation of saidseparable members, all of said operating means are afiected.

- 3. In vehicle control mechanism wherein a tractor having an automotiveengine providing a pneumatic source and a semi-trailer adapted to becoupled to the tractor in which a retractable supporting frame ismovably mounted on the semitrailer and is movable to and from supportingand non-supporting positions with means for moving the frame to-and fromsupporting and non-supporting positions in which the last named meansincludes pneumatically responsive operating members and being soconstructed that in the event of a break in the conduit means betweenthe source and the coupling means said first named operating means isnot afiected while upon separation of said separable members all of saidoperating means are affected,

4, In vehicle control mechanism wherein a tractor having an automotive'engine providing a source of vacuum and a semi-trailer adapted to bec0nnected to the tractor with a retractable 0 supporting frame mountedon said trailer movable to and from supporting and non-supportingpositions with means for moving the frame to and from supportingandnon-supporting positions in which the last named means includesvacuum responsive operating means, and wherein other pneumaticallyresponsive operating means is mounted on the semi-trailer and isfunctionally difierent from the first named operating means, and whereinconduit means connect both of the operating means with the vacuum sourceso that said source pneumatically affects said operating means, thecombination with coupling means interposed in said conduit means betweensaid operating means and said source, said coupling means includingmanually separable members and being so constructed that constantpressure is maintained on said first-named operating means irrespectiveof the pressure-on the other operating means when said separable membersare con- 40 nected together and said vacuum source is renderedineffective on both of said operating means when said separable membersare disconnected.

5. In vehicle control mechanism wherein a tractor is provided having anautomotive engine providing a vacuum source and a semi-trailer adaptedto be connected to the tractor with a retractable supporting framemounted on the trailer and movable to. and from supporting andnonsupporting positions with means for moving the frame to and fromsupporting and non-supporting positions in which the last named meansincludes pneumatically responsive operating means, and

wherein pneumatically responsive operating means is mounted on thesemi-trailer and is functionally difierent from the first namedoperating means, and wherein conduit means connects both of saidoperating means with said pneumatic source so that said sourcepneumatically affects said operating means, the combination withcoupling means interposed in said conduit means between said operatingmeans and said source, said coupling means being formed with branchconduits,

one of said conduits being connected to said first named operating meansand the other conduit being connected to said second named operatingmeans, said coupling means including means maintaining a constantpressure in said first named branch conduit irrespective of the pressurein said second named branch conduit when said separable members, areconnected together "and being so constructed that when said separablemembers are disconnected both of said branch conduits are vented to theatmosphere.

6. In vehicle control mechanism wherein a plurality of functionallydifferent mechanisms areprovided in which each of said mechanismsincludes pneumatically responsive operating means and wherein apneumatic source is provided and wherein conduit means connect saidsource with said operating means, the combination with coupling meansinterposed in said conduit means between said operating means andsaid-source, said coupling means including manually separable members,one of said members being connected to a single conduit leading to saidsource, another of said members having a plurality of individualconduits, one of said individual conduits leading to one of saidmechanisms, and another of said individual conduits leading to anotherof. said mechanisms, means] communicating said individ- 15 ual conduitswith each other, said last named means being so constructed thatconstant pressure is maintained within one of said individual conduitsirrespective of the pressure in the other individual conduit when saidseparable members 20 are connected together, and being so constructedthat when said separable members are disconnected, both of saidindividual conduits are vented to the atmosphere. a

7. In vehicle control mechanism wherein a tractor is provided having anautomotive engine providing a vacuum source and a semi-trailer adaptedto be connected to the tractor is provided with a retractable supportingframe mounted on the trailer movable to and from supporting andnon-supporting positions with means for moving the frame to and fromsupporting and non-supporting positions in which said last named meansincludes pneumatically responsive operating means, and wherein otherpneumatically responsive operating meansis mounted on the semitrailerand is functionally different from the first named operating means, andwherein conduit means connect the source with the operating means, thecombination with coupling means in- 40 terposed in said conduit meansbetween said op:- erating means and said source, said conduit meansincluding manually separable members, one

of said members being connected to a single conduit leading to saidsource, another of said members having a plurality of individualconduits, one

of said individual conduits leading; to said first named operatingmeans, and another of said individual conduits leading to said secondnamed operating means, means communicating said in- 50 dividual conduitswith each other, said last named means being so constructed that aconstant pressure is maintained in one of said individual conduitsirrespective of the pressure in said another of said individual conduitswhen said separable 55 7 members are connected together, and being soconstructed that when said separable members are disconnected both ofsaid individual conduits are vented to the atmosphere.

8. In vehicle control mechanism wherein a 60 plurality of functionaliydifiQlBllL nieci'lanisinsare provided in which each of said mechanismsincludes pneumatically responsive operating means,

and wherein a pneumatic source is provided, and

whereinconduit means connect the source to the 65 operating means, thecombination with coupling means interposed in said circuit means betweensaid operating means and said source, said conduit means includingmanually separable members, one of said members being formed to com- 70municate with a plurality of individual conduits, one of said individualconduits leading to one of said mechanisms, and anotherof saidindividual conduits leading to another of said mechanisms,

means communicating said individual conduits I struction and arrangementbeing such that when said separable members are connected together thepressure within said one of said individual conduits is constantlymaintained irrespective of the pressure in the other of said individualconduits, and both of said individual conduits are vented to theatmosphere when said separable members are disconnected.

FREDERICK M. REID.

